GTFOplan #97: St Bart's Thrill: Planes so close you can touch them!

IN THIS VIDEO: Team GoTFO?? set sail from Grand Case, Saint Martin, on the French side, bound for Saint Barthélemy (commonly known as St. Barths, pronounced "Barts"). While raising the anchor, we discovered it had snagged a large wire-just one of the hidden surprises that often await beneath the water. Grand Case is a vibrant and culturally rich destination, seamlessly blending Caribbean charm with French sophistication. Known as the "Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean," it enchants visitors with the scents of freshly baked baguettes and Creole spices, all set to the relaxed rhythm of island life. As picturesque as it is, Grand Case's anchorage can be swirly, as evidenced by our Garmin track. Make sure to set your anchor well, ideally with a 7-to-1 scope, to avoid any surprises. After a quick stop in Marigot at Ile Marine to refuel with diesel and gas, we enjoyed an exhilarating sail, reaching 9.5 knots in 15.5 knots of wind under a full mainsail and our trusty Code Zero. Our first destination was Île Fourchue, where we took a short hike and snorkeled in breathtaking surroundings. While bringing the dinghy ashore with Schatzi, Ann took an unexpected tumble into the water-thankfully, she was unharmed. The hike revealed an abundance of large lizards basking in the sun. Later, Rob and Paul from SV Ventana joined us for snorkeling, showcasing Rob's impressive free-diving skills-it's incredible how deep he can go (that's what she said!). Unfortunately, Schatzi wasn't as lucky, picking up some tiny burrs during the walk. The short sail to Gustavia on the mainland of St. Barths wasn't without its challenges. Our autopilot displayed a "Recovery Loader Error," but a quick unplug-and-replug fix (a classic IT Crowd solution) had us back on course. Meanwhile, Ann tackled a temporary hand-sewn repair to the neoprene cover for our 2:1 halyard, which will hold us over until fresh neoprene arrives in April. Arriving in Gustavia, we were greeted by the undeniable opulence of St. Barths. The harbor was filled with massive yachts, some with dinghies worth more than our entire catamaran. We found the perfect anchorage in front of Fort Oscar, where New Year's Eve fireworks would light up the sky. Shortly after, SV Ventana anchored nearby, and as we settled into our beanbags, SV Sail Oceans passed by to compliment our prime spot. It was wonderful reconnecting with Bartek and Anna from SV Sail Oceans, both here in St. Barths and previously in Grand Case. Back in 2019, we had the privilege of crewing on their Neel 50 prototype, building our sailing experience and narrowing down our boat choice. Spending time with them and seeing how much their boys have grown was a special reminder that the heart of this journey lies in the deep, meaningful connections we make with others. We are incredibly fortunate to forge these bonds along the way. New Year's Eve was unforgettable. Despite enduring a night of loud music from a neighboring boat (which thankfully left the next day), we celebrated in true island style with Rob and Paul. Together, we hiked to watch planes land at Gustaf Airport-a heart-stopping experience as planes skim over the road to touch down on the famously short runway. Later, we left our mark by adding GoTFO and Ventana stickers to a local bar, enjoyed a free concert, and marveled at the family-friendly atmosphere. Ann couldn't resist breaking out her Poi balls, lighting up the night with her favorite pastime. When SV Ventana departed, Ann and Dennis had a playful surprise send-off. Any guesses what they did? We wrapped up our time on St. Barths with a long hike alongside Curt from SV Apex and his crew, followed by an incredible dinner at Fish Corner. PamElle, one of Curt's crew members, will be joining GoTFO?? for our long passage from Saint Martin to the Mediterranean, and we're thrilled to welcome her aboard. Curt even added his boat's sticker to our collection on the cooler and the local bar wall. Among the highlights of exploring Gustavia was spotting a stunning dog with dazzling blue eyes and a gentle soul-a reminder of the little joys that make every port special. The ultimate must-see experience on St. Barths? Watching planes land at Gustaf Airport. The dramatic descent over a steep hill, followed by a hair-raising glide just above the road, is nothing short of surreal. Standing so close, you feel the rush of adrenaline as the engines roar and the landing gear skims just overhead-a breathtaking moment that encapsulates the thrill and beauty of adventure. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com